I’m currently following a classical syllabus and have succeeded up to grade 3. I have pursued this for two reasons; because my local teacher has a great deal of experience in the classical syllabus and many local bands like to see some evidence of grades, usually grade 5 before accepting new entrants.
However I’d really like to learn aspects that make jazz sound so great and be able to enjoy my instrument more.
So is it feasible to continue my current structured approach to enable my technical skills to improve but, on the side as it were, become ever more competent in improvisation etc. in some way and if so how? For instance would a specific jazz focused teacher, if there is such a thing, be worth considering? Or should I completely drop the way I’m going and embrace a full blown jazz syllabus effectively starting again?
Would appreciate any views from people who have been down this road already?
However I’d really like to learn aspects that make jazz sound so great and be able to enjoy my instrument more.
So is it feasible to continue my current structured approach to enable my technical skills to improve but, on the side as it were, become ever more competent in improvisation etc. in some way and if so how? For instance would a specific jazz focused teacher, if there is such a thing, be worth considering? Or should I completely drop the way I’m going and embrace a full blown jazz syllabus effectively starting again?
Would appreciate any views from people who have been down this road already?